Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

The Danish Business Authority has unveiled SAF‑T 2.0, a new standard for exchanging accounting data at the transaction level. From 1 January 2027 all registered digital accounting system providers must support SAF‑T 2.0, while companies using non‑registered systems must continue to generate SAF‑T 1.0 files and comply with the Bookkeeping Act. The update enhances data sharing with partners and authorities such as the Danish Tax Agency and supports future automation in reporting to public sector bodies.

The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2024‑26 has been amended in Committee and will return to the House of Commons for further stages. Scotland will introduce a new Air Departure Tax on 1 April 2027, replacing APD, with a consultation closing 26 March 2026. Deloitte’s Advance Tax Certainty service will become operational from July 2026, while the OECD Global Forum on VAT met in January 2026 to discuss digital economy and near real‑time data collection.

A draft European Parliament report dated Feb. 4 calls for changes to the VAT exemption for the EU’s financial sector, arguing it is misaligned with today’s economic and technological realities. The report proposes coordinated EU‑wide taxation where feasible and minimum standards for temporary windfall taxation to align exceptional profits with long‑term public investment priorities. It was authored by German MEP Matthias Ecke.

The article examines Ghana’s new Value Added Tax Act 2025 (Act 1151) and its implications for capital market services, arguing that the tax may deter investment rather than encourage it. It discusses how the law could affect investor confidence and offers recommendations for regulators and stakeholders to balance tax policy with market development.